An additional engine for each driver in 2015?
The drivers could benefit from 5 power units this year instead of the 4 initially planned by the regulations. Indeed, the teams have agreed to this change, which still needs to be officially validated by the FIA.
Formula 1 teams have agreed, according to the British press, to increase the number of power units allocated to each driver this year. According to the regulations, each driver can only use 4 power units this season – penalties are applied if more units are used.
But the teams met on Friday in Malaysia and reached an agreement to increase this number from 4 to 5, thus returning to last year’s quota. However, for the moment, the measure has not been officially announced because it requires the approval of the FIA to amend the sporting regulations.
The goal of reducing the number of power units between 2014 and 2015 was related to cost reduction and assuming that reliability would improve, but this was not really the case for Daniel Ricciardo and Kevin Magnussen (who was using Alonso’s engine quota) in Melbourne.
According to *PitPass*, the idea was originally suggested by Christian Horner, team principal of Red Bull Racing.
However, there is no indication whether the FIA will approve this measure or if the additional power unit can be used in the race or will be reserved for Friday practice.
